MarajóMarajó at a Glance
About Marajó
Marajó is a large river island at the mouth of the Amazon River in the state of Pará, northern Brazil, and is one of the world’s largest river islands. Its size and riverine landscape distinguish it from surrounding mainland areas.
The island offers extensive freshwater beaches, river channels, floodplain lakes and rural villages; typical visitor activities include boat trips, wildlife viewing and visiting riverside communities. Local crafts and ceramics are also a point of interest in several towns.
The island has a long human history that includes pre-Columbian cultures noted for distinctive pottery and mound-building. More recent centuries saw colonial settlement and development of cattle and buffalo grazing that continue today.
Marajó lies at the mouth of the Amazon River in Pará, adjacent to the city of Belém which functions as the main access hub. The landscape is low-lying and heavily influenced by seasonal river flooding.
- Access: Most visitors travel to the island by ferry or boat from Belém, which is the principal regional gateway.
- Wildlife and livestock: Large herds of water buffalo are a distinctive feature of the landscape and local economy across the island.
What to See#
- Soure: Main town on the island and the usual base for visitors, with ferry connections and local guesthouses; it serves as a starting point for river and beach excursions.
- Salvaterra: Another significant riverside town offering access to inland waterways, local markets and transport links to rural parts of the island.
Best Time to Visit Marajó
Best visited in the drier months (June-November) when access is easier and flooding is less likely.
Weather & Climate near Marajó
Marajó's climate is classified as Tropical Monsoon - Tropical Monsoon climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 32°C. Heavy rainfall (2817 mm/year), wettest in March with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 22° - 30° | 26° | 353 mm | - | - | 1.5 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 22° - 30° | 26° | 436 mm | - | - | 1.5 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 22° - 30° | 26° | 471 mm | - | - | 1.4 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 22° - 30° | 26° | 424 mm | - | - | 1.3 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 23° - 30° | 26° | 338 mm | - | - | 1.3 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 23° - 31° | 27° | 218 mm | - | - | 1.3 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 23° - 31° | 27° | 179 mm | - | - | 1.4 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 23° - 31° | 27° | 117 mm | - | - | 1.6 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 23° - 32° | 27° | 50 mm | - | - | 1.7 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 23° - 32° | 28° | 35 mm | - | - | 1.9 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 23° - 31° | 27° | 44 mm | - | - | 1.9 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 23° - 31° | 27° | 152 mm | - | - | 1.7 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Marajó
Marajó Island is reached from the state capital Belém (Pará) by boat. Regular ferries and fast boats operate from ports in Belém to main towns on Marajó such as Soure and Salvaterra; crossings take several hours depending on the service and route.
From Belém city center you travel to the port/terminals to board the ferry - check local schedules as services vary seasonally.
Tips for Visiting Marajó
- Plan your Marajó trip from Belém and allow extra travel time: regular ferries and speedboats run from Belém to towns such as Soure, which are the usual gateways to the island.
- Book local guides or day trips that include river/estuary transfers and village visits - guides will take you to buffalo ranches, traditional ceramics workshops and remote beaches that many independent visitors miss.